Trailer hitch



Jan. 16, 1951 R. W. ASKINS TRAILER HITCH 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 21,1946 FTG. l.

INVENTOR. fia/p/r WAG/rm:

@ L /w M HTTORNEY R. W. ASKINS Jan. 16, 1951 TRAILER HITCH 2Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 21, 1946 INVENTOR. 5040/; W Ali/r075 BY IATTORNEY Patented Jan. 16, 1951 UNITED STATES- PATENT OFFICE 2,538,493mans Hirer? Ralph W. Askin'si. ToledmOhio Amaranth Fatima-"21, 1946',steel No; 64:);1'34

' .H 9"Gl3iifil8r This invention relates-tocouplings and par--ti'cularlyto vehicle couplings ada-pted for interconnecting a-tra-ile'rtea-n automobile orthe-l o? An object of this invention 1s= td=produceanew and improved vehicle coupling liav-ih'g novel features ofconstructi'on enabling s'am'e tab-e: easily adjusted for use inconnection with variously shaped vel-"i-icle 'plate or bumper' membersrThe attachments: ana disconnctionsofi the con-pl gto thevehicle madesubsequent to the iii-i e1 adjustment-being: simplified thereby toencourage" removal: there'oi which: notonlyiprolongs-thelife and use ofthe coupling, but a1sd-decreasing parking hazards or the 1ile.-

Another" object: of this invention is to produce awnew randimprovedvehicle couplinghaving novelmeans of operation enablingc'onstruction: of simplified structure" whereby. the coupi-ingwmem bersmay beproduded by simplified low cost-cast ing' orstamping processes foruse with-specific vehicie models;

further object of this invention-' is to producean-improvedvehiclecoupling-of the balland socket type, the morecomplicated and expensive sccket'member forming apart of the vehicleconnection t whichconsiderably less-in: number are used than the trailertongue attachments'. Novel positioning means are provided expeditiouslyto aid the assembly to the normal draft-position in which they areeffectively 1ocked-- during:- opera-- tion.

A-still further object is to provide an improved ball andsocket-coupling in which the normal" A Still. further objecflof thisinvention iS' lid provide'a novel one-piecemountingmember hay in};spaced hooks providing a po'siti'onin'gnieansinbonn'ectio'n'withpanels'; plates; spaced rims or tlie'iike', the'same beinghei'd'iii themounted re-- lation by restricting retrogrademovement' ofthe member" to the disengageable position; I

A- still further objectis-to-providea coupling mounting for use in-combination with plates having spaced edge portions ava'ilable for a'tta'climent purposes.-

other objects and advantages of the-inve tion will l iereihaftel appear;and fohpdrposes'df i11il'S-= traitiol-l 'but" not o'f limitation, anembodiment of the intentio'n' is shown the accompanying drawings which:-

.Figure" 1 is a-- schematic"drawihgshowing fragmentary portionsof avehible andtrailer inter connecte'd by a coupling: sucu aseomprises thisinvention.

Figure 2- is=a fr'ontelevationa viewer: th petition of 'the'coupling'whic forms al p member adaptedto be mounted onto the realbum'per or plate-10f the haiil-ing vehicle.

Figure 3: is a side elevationak view" or the coupling in the assembledrelation; the same-' being mounted-on the real-bumper of a vehicle.theball member being attached to'=the trailer tongueshown' infragmentation.

Figure' l is a horizontal sectional view of the socket membertakenalong- .the -1ines"44" o'ffigure 3', the ball element-beingeliminated 'fo'r purposesmf-clarity.

Figure 5- is asectional elevational view taken along-the "Inlet-=5 of"figure ig: and

Figure 6 is a-- View ofa modified form of coupling in-which theballmember'forms a part of the-vehicle mounting. V

ln the illustrated embodiment of the-invention" Ill -designatesa motorvehicle having a" curvilinear rear bumper l I secured to the rear of thevehicle andinterconnectedby the fiat guard plate l-2-. Connected to therear of the motor vehicle Hi by 'meansofa flexible coupling lB-isatrailer l4 having a trailer draft baror tongue l5 to which onedisengageable portion ofthe.

couplingv is rigidly attached. I

As illustrated, the couping- [3 comprises mating'balllii'and socket [1members-providing an operablejoiiit' enabling wide turning movements ofone vehicle in relation to the other. Unlike structure's eretofore usedin this" manner, it' ismore economical" to integrate the more complexing; thereby to require only on'e'fo'r" each vehicle onto the" rearbumper or plate !I of themotor' lateral edge portions--respectively-.Bolts arms" 20 vertically moveable in eachs'lotl' have their screwthreadtr crtion 2 ease-rising therethrbligh for threaded'engagement withnuts 22 and 23 disposed on opposite sides of the metallic plate I8. Itis manifest that turning movements of either of the nuts 22 or 23 in thedirection to loosen same from the metallic plate enables verticaladjustment of the bolt arms in their respective slots, whereafterturning movements of either of the nuts in the direction to abut themetallic plate 18 operates to fasten the bolt arms in the adjustedposition.

The amount of horizontal extension of each of the arms 29 may beadjusted merely by operation of bolts 23 and 25 in a simple and obviousmanner. The forward end portion of each of the extending bolt arms 29 isturned upwardly to form hooked ends 25 disposed substantially at rightangles to the bolt.

A pair of apertures 26 in the upper corners of the metallic plate [8retain threaded bolt arm members 2"! which are adjustable only in thetransverse direction upon operation of the securing nuts 28 and 29having screw threaded engagement therewith on opposite sides of themetallic plate Hi. In this instance the end portion of each of the upperbolt arms 26 is downturned to form hooked ends 33 having an angularrelation slightly greater than 90 with the bolt arm.

Successful operation of the securing bracket is dependent upon the factthat the lower hook ends 25 are deeper than the upper hook ends 30.Initially, the lower bolt arms 28 are adjusted upwardly to the pointwhere the upper edge SI of the bumper plate I I just clears the loweredge of the hook ends 30 when the lower edge 32 of the bumper plate isresting upon the bolt arm 2%). Thereafter downward movement of thebracket l8 in relation to the enclosed bumper plate ll results inabutment of the upper edge 3| of the bumper plate with the bolt arm 2'1,the lower edge portion 32 of the bumper plate H still being enclosed bythe hook ends 25 preventing disengagement between the plate and thebracket.

A set screw 33 having screw threaded engagement with a sleeve 34 formedintegrally with the plate i8 is adjustable inwardly to bear against theunderside of the bumper plate ll militating' against downward movementin relation thereto, which movement is necessary for subsequentdisengagement. It is manifest that operation of the set screw 33enabling lifting movement of the bracket to the initial raised positionpermits the bracket to be rocked on or off of the bumper plate l l,enabling assembly or disconnection to be easily made without the use ofadditional tools or skilled labor. It is to be understood that othermeans for limiting the relative movement of adjacent elements may beused with equal facility, such means including snap looks or cams.

Ordinarily the bumper plate i l is curvilinear in form such thatengagement between the same and the angularly disposed hook ends 30provides a gripping action in combination with the abutting andextending reinforcing edge flanges 35 integral with the rectangularplate [8 which tension reduces looseness and rattling noises when in theassembled relation. It is readily understood that when the mountingbracket is used in combination with flat plates or spaced rims, theflanges may be perpendicularly disposed, the set screw as merely bearingagainst the bottom edge portion of the mounted plate to prevent downwardmovement of the enclosed plate to the dismcuntable position.

The above describes a universal mounting bracket l8 which may beadjusted for use with all forms of plates or bumpers. However, modernmass production of vehicles enables standardization of various designswhereby adjustable means are unnecessary enabling the bracket to beproduced in specific useable forms by the low cost casting processes.

It is to be understood further, that the described mounting bracket isnot limited for use with a trailer coupling, but may be equallyapplicable for mounting a plate, supporting panel or'the like upon aplate or rims having edges in spaced relation. In this instance themounting bracket having the necessary extending flanges may be assembledmerely by raising the bracket until the lower of the spaced edges abutsthe bottom arm, whereafter the upper flange is rocked over the upperspaced edge, the subsequent downward or horizontal movement of thebracket results in the encasement of the spaced edges by the attachedflanges, whereafter means preventing retrograde movement thereof holdsthe elements in the assembled relation.

The socket member ll is integrally connected to the opposite face of,the rectangular plate Iii by a web 36 having also a vertical center rib3? for reinforcing purposes in the direction of greatest stress.Referring specifically to the form as illustrated in Figures 2, 3, 4.and 5, the socket member comprises a spherically shaped scoop 4 havingthe forward portion 38' and one side portion 39 curvilinear even in theregion 48 which extends above the center line of the sphere. The forwardinner surface 4| is spherical up to the center line whereafter the.remaining portion 42 extends upwardly in 'a line substantially tangentto the horizontal center line. The other side portion43 is entirelyopen, extending flanges 4| being curvilinear as illustrated inFigure 5but extending laterally substantially parallel to'planes tangent to acurvilinear line formed by intersection of the spherical socket at itsvertical center. The flanged portion M is offset from the socket portionan amount sufficient to permit seating therein of the spherical ball 44which is connected by a stud 45 to the endof the draft bar 15.Manifestly the spherical base portion, as bounded by the horizontalcenter line of the socket member I1, is dimensioned to receive the ball46 with which a bearing fit is continuously maintained while in theassembled relation. The overhanging inner surfaces 40 of the socketmember restrict the upward movement of the ball 24 preventingdisengagement in that direction. Movement of the ball 46 is onlypermitted toward the open lateral direction. However, adjustable meansare provided for securing the ball .in the socket portion when in thedraft position. In this instance an angularly shaped rectangular bar 46is pivoted at one end 4'! upon a pin 58 extending through an aperture 49in the reinforcing web 36. A shoulder 5i! extends upwardly from'acentral portion of the bar 46 and has a threaded aperture 51therethrough which is engaged by a set screw 52 having one end adaptedto abut the rectangular plate I8. It is apparent that when the set screw52 is turned in a direction to move the end towards engagement with theplate l8, the bar 56 will be rocked horizontally about its verticalpivot to engagement with the exposed edge portion of the positioned ball44 thereby to prevent lateral movement thereof to the disconnectedposition. Thus the ball may be securely positioned in the socket portionin a manner to place It is manifest that theshelfflanges 'A'Ipermitpositive positioning of the'ba-ll just prior to the lateral movementseating the same inthe socket member it. It is also 'to'beunderstoodthat other means for holding the ball-inthe draft "positionmay be usedwith'equal facility as the positioning means described I p vFigure 6 illustrates a modification of the, invention in which the ball53 is Positioned onto the I securingsaid-firsthooksin the. verticallyadjusted mounting bracket [.8 by means of a stud ed engaging thesupporting web 55 integralwith the rectangular plate 48. g In thisinstance the socket member is to be mounted on the end portion of thedraft bar, as is well-understood.

It manifest that I have produced a mountin bracket which may bepositionedonto a member,

having only spaced edge portions available for fastening purposes. Suchbrackets are, therefore, adapted for use in connection with the rearbumper plate of an automobile: which hasan. interconnecting' guard plateabutting one. side thereof.

I have also produced a and improved ball and socket coupling in Whichnovel positioning and urins'means are provided for holding the matingmembers in alignment whereby the forces are directed along the center ofthe associated members thereby to comprise a more durable and smootheroperating coupling.

It is obvious that the mounting bracket comprises simply formed elementswhich when adjusted permits eliortless mounting and disconnection of thebracket from the spaced rim members. The ball and socket means are alsoprovided with members for expeditious assembly or disassembly of themating membersin the draft position.

It is to be understood that the term rectangular plate [8, as used inthe description and the claims, may also include a metallic plate havingthe intermediate end portion cut away for purposes of reducing theweight of the coupling and the cost of the completed unit. Other changesin the details of construction, arrangement and operation may beeffected without departing from the spirit of the invention, especiallyas defined in the appended claims. I

What I claim is:

l. A trailer hitch comprising a vertically disposed plate, verticallyspaced oppositely facing hooks on said plate adapted to engage a bumperon the rear end of the towing vehicle, said' hooks being spaced in fixedrelation to said bumper and to each other whereby movement of said platein one direction enables one of said hooksto clear the adjacent edge ofsaid bumper permitting said plate to be rocked on or ofi of said bumper,and movement in the opposite direction causes said. hooks to engage saidbumper edges with the adjacent face of the bumper abutting said plate,and means on said plate for coupling same to a towed vehiclein which thevertically disposed plate has vertically aligned slots formed in oneposition.

2. A trailer hitch comprising a vertically -dis posed plate, verticallyspaced oppositely facing hooks on said plate adapted to engage a bumperon the rear end of the "towing vehicle, said hooks being spaced in fixedrelation to said bumper and to each other whereby movement of .said

plate :in one direction enables one of said hooks to :clear the adiacentedge of said bumper permitting said plateto :be rocked on .or off ofsaidbumper, and movement intheopposite direction causes said hooks to engagesaid bumper edges with thezadiacent-faee of the bumper abutting saidplate, and means on said plate for coupling same to.;a towed vehicle, inwhich portions ofisaid hookswarescrew-threaded :and .insertable throughapertures in said vertical plate, r'nuts disposed on opposite sides ofsaid vertical plate and. making threaded engagement with each af saidhooks respectively; said nuts permitting transverse adjustment of each.:of said hooks and also fastening same in the adjnstedposition.

:A trailer hitch comprising a vertically dishosed plate, verticallyspaced oppositely facing hookslon said plate adapted to engage. a bumperon the-rear end of the towing vehicle, said hooks being spaced in fixedrelation to said bumper and .to; each other whereby movement of saidplate in one direction .enablesazone. ofzsaid hooks to, clear the.adjacentedge. of said binnper permitting said plate to be rocked on oroff of said bumper, andmovement in the opposite. direction causes. saidhooks to engage sazldbumper edges with the adjacent face. of the bumperabutting said plate, and means on said plate for coupling portionthereof, one group of said hooks being same to a towed vehicle, in whichmeans are provided for releasably holding said bumper in the engagedposition, said means comprising a set screw cooperating with thevertical plate and engaging the bumper for releasably holding the plateagainst movement in the first direction 4. A trailer hitch comprising avertically disposed plate, vertically spaced oppositely facing hooks onsaid plate adapted to engage a bumper on the rear of the towing vehicle,means for adjusting one of said spaced hooks vertically to a desiredposition of adjustment whereby the hooks engage said bumper disposedtherebetween when said. plate is moved in one direction, movement in theother direction enabling one of. said hooks to clear said bumperpermitting said plate to be rocked on or oif of said bumper, means. foradjusting the amount of extension of said hooks, means releasablyholding said plate against movement from the bumper engaging position,

and means on said plate for coupling same to a towed vehicle.

5. A trailer hitch as claimed in claim 4, in which the hooked endportion of one of said hooks is longer than the other whereby movementof said plate in the direction towards the longer flange permits theother flange to clear the adjacent bumper edge by a rocking motion, andmeans for releasably holding said bumper against movement toward thedeeper flange.

6. In combination with a vehicle bumper transversely curved, a trailerhitch, the hitch comprising a flat plate adapted to abut the convex sideof said bumper, oppositely arranged hook members on said plate adaptedto engage the edge portions of the bumper, one hook member beingshorter'than the other and inclined at an angle greater than thereby toprovide a gripping action in cooperation with said bumper when in theengaged position, and to enable disengagement from said bumper by slightvertical and subsequent rocking movement, and means on said plate forcoupling same toward a towed vehicle. I

'7. In a trailer hitch, a mounting bracket for receiving a vehiclebumper in gripping relation, said mounting bracket comprising a rigidsupport, oppositely facing hooks in spaced-apart relationon said supportenabling the bracket to be shifted between two positions of adjustmentwhen disposed therebetween, one of said hooks being deeper than theother thereby to enable rocking movement of said bracket on or off ofthe bumper when in one position of adjustment, said hooks blockingmovement of said bracket on or off the bumper when in the other positionof adjustment, means for adjusting the extension of said hooks from saidsupport, means for adjusting the vertical distance between said hooks,and means cooperating with said bracket and operatively engaging saidbumper for retaining said bracket in the gripping relation.

8. A mounting bracket as claimed in claim '7, in which the hooks arevertically spaced. with the deeper hooks comprising the lower, one edgeportion seating in the lower hook when in the first position ofadjustment, while the other edge portion seats on the upper hook in thelatter position of adjustment -whereby gravitational forces aresufficient as the means for releasably holding the bracket in saidlatter gripping position.

a pair of hooks projecting from one face of said plate with the hooksfacing toward each other, one hook being of the order of twice the depthof the other hook and the hooks being rigid relative to said plate andto each other in position of use, the free ends of said hooks being atall times spaced apart a distance less than the height of the bumperandthe distance between the bottom of the deeper hook and the free endof the other hook being greater than the height of the bumper, wherebytransverse movement of the rigid plate relative to the bumper to disposethe latter in engagement with the bottom of the deeper hook enables therigid plate and bumper to be separated orengaged by a rocking motion andtransverse movement in the opposite direction to dispose the bumper inengagement with the bottom of the shallower hook militating againstseparation of the rigid plate and bumper, and means on said rigid platefor coupling same to a towed vehicle. g

' RALPH W. ASKINS;

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the fileofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,060,066 Goin Mar. 10, 19362,151,920 Jandus et a1. Mar. 28, 1939 2,167,520 Claude-Mantel July 25,1939 2,214,513 Thorp et a1 Sept. 10, 1940 2,250,661 Thorp ea a1 July 29,1941 2,360,643 Bixel Oct. 17, 1944

